- Georgina Rannard
- BBC
Venus and Jupiter have been close to each other all week
Look up at the sky at the right moment this week, and you can see two of the brightest planets in the solar system almost collide.
Venus and Jupiter would be millions of miles away, but from Earth they would appear close to colliding.
This planetary conjunction occurs annually, but this year it will look much closer than usual.
The same scene won’t happen again until 2039.
The naked eye or binoculars should be sufficient to see them in a clear sky.
After Saturday, the two planets will gradually diverge.
“It’s very exciting for astronomers and it’s really a great opportunity for people to get out and have a look,” explains astronomer and chair of stargazers for the Popular Astronomy Society Lucy Green.
What is the conjunction of planets?
The conjunction occurs when two planets appear close to each other or even touch in the night sky.
In the days leading up to Saturday, Venus and Jupiter were gradually meeting in the sky.
picture released, Getty Images
The two planets rise side by side over Rocca Calacio Castle in Italy early on Saturday morning
The actual orbit of the planets is about 430 million miles away, but the apparent alignment from the Earth gives the illusion that they are touching.
How can I see that?
The prime time to see them on Saturday was around 05:00 BST. But they will remain visible on Sunday and in the coming days as the planets move slowly.
Before dawn it is best to see them, looking east before sunrise.
picture released, @DebraJ54
Social media user @DebraJ54 snapped this photo in Humboldt, Tennessee on Saturday morning
The planets will be low in the sky, close to the horizon, and hills and buildings will obscure the view. If you can, find a higher spot and find two bright, dazzling spots close to each other.
“The two planets will differ in brightness,” Greene explains. “Venus is much brighter than Jupiter, so it will look amazingly bright when you see it. Jupiter will be much fainter, about a sixth as bright as Venus.”
The conjunction of the two hemispheres can be seen at different times of the day and night.
Those observing with a telescope can also see Mars and Saturn as they form with Venus and Jupiter as a line of four planets.
Green says she plans to get out of bed to watch from Britain.
“But if I missed it on Saturday morning, I wouldn’t be too worried,” she explains.
“In the coming days, the two planets will start to diverge more and more, so I will still be able to see them.”